MHA extends ban on HNLC by another 5 years

Shillong, Nov 15: The Centre on Thursday extended the ban against the Khasi militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for a period of another five years.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, “The Central Government, having regard to the unlawful activities mentioned above, and the unlawful activities committed in the past by the HNLC, is of the opinion that circumstances exist which render it necessary to declare the HNLC, along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association with immediate effect and accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have immediate effect from the 16th November, 2024 for a period of five years.”

The MHA said that the HNLC along with all its factions, wings and front organisations of Meghalaya has been involved in such activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

It said that the Central Government is of the opinion that the HNLC has declared objective for secession of areas in the State of Meghalaya, largely inhabited by Khasi and Jaintia tribes from India and has continued intimidation and bullying of the civilian population for extortion of funds for their organisation.

The Ministry further stated that the HNLC has maintained links with other insurgent groups of the North Eastern region for carrying out acts of extortion and intimidation and has indulged in forty-eight criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in the State of Meghalaya, during the period from November 16, 2019 to June 30, 2024. During this same period, authorities reported the arrest of seventy-three of its cadres and surrender of three of its cadres.

It said that the Government of Meghalaya has also recommended the declaration of the HNLC as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Further, the notification said that the Centre is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the HNLC are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, and if these are not immediately curbed and controlled, the HNLC may regroup and rearm itself, expand its cadres, procure sophisticated weapons, cause loss of lives of civilians and security forces and properties and thereby accelerate its anti-national activities.

“The Central Government is also of the opinion that for the reasons aforesaid, it is necessary to declare the HNLC together with its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association. Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby declares the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association,” it stated further.

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